Municipal leaders from two Cariboo communities spoke out in favour of the New Prosperity mine proposal at public hearings in Williams Lake on Wednesday.
Both Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook and 100 Mile House district councillor Spence Henderson said the proposed open pit copper and gold mine would bring much needed jobs to their community and help stem the tide of people leaving the region.
"We believe the job potential of the project to be significant," Cook told the three-member panel conducting an environmental review of the project on behalf of the federal government. "It could serve to expand our population base."
Mining company Taseko is seeking permission to construct the mine about 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake. The $1 billion project could provide upwards of 500 direct jobs during the estimated three-decade life span of the project.
The idea has faced opposition from both First Nations and environmental groups and the initial plan was rejected by the federal government in 2010. Taseko has submitted a new proposal that it says address many of the concerns outlined in the last environmental assessment process, including the preservation of Fish Lake, but some opponents say it will be worse for the environment than the original plan.
During her 15-minutes presentation, Cook tried to address some of the environmental concerns, saying Canadian mining companies are "world renowned" for their environmental protection measures.
With her community's proximity to the mine site and Taseko's plans to have workers live in camp on a four-days-on, four-days-off rotation, Cook said the potential exists that the project could inject hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of wages into the local economy on a weekly basis.
Since 100 Mile House is located further away from the proposed mine, Henderson said his community will see fewer benefits than places like Williams Lake or Quesnel but it will still "afford a range of opportunities to strengthen our local economy."
If the mine is built, Cook said its estimated three decade life span could buy Williams Lake more time to diversify its long-term economy. But Tsilhqot'in National Government representative Joan Kuyek countered if the mine does go ahead, it could put the community in an economically precarious position because it and three other natural resource operations in the region are set to expire all around the same time three decades from now.
Both Cook and Henderson were questioned by community members who asked the politicians to clarify their support for the project based on council resolutions in their communities.
Cook said the support of Williams Lake is contingent on the proponent conducting adequate consultation with First Nations and the mine passing the environmental assessment.
Henderson rejected a suggestion from a member of the public that his district council has decided to remain neutral on the mine.
"We choose and want to listen to what everyone has to say, but at the end of the day we go forward with what's best for our taxpayers," he said, noting he was speaking on behalf of council.
The hearings on general topics is scheduled to conclude on Thursday. The panel will then begin topic-specific presentations. After the hearings conclude next month, the panel will prepare its recommendation to the federal government.
